Artgasm: This Weekend's Art Openings, May 14 - 16, 2010

With great events like these, it's hard to pick just one. Hit up the Fine Print, Rare Book and Paper Arts Fair or the Grand Center Spring Art Walk, then get inspired at the Urban Renewal Project, showcasing work by Employment Connection clients -- homeless, U.S. Veterans and ex-offenders who took trash from the street to create new artistic treasures.

Christopher Paquet

Annunciation (SUV)

​Theaster Gates: Dry Bones and Other Parables from the North: A series of installations influenced by the Book of Ezekiel that address the future of the Hyde Park neighborhood. Opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 15. Starting May 15, Wednesdays-Saturdays. Continues through June 5, free admission. Bruno David Gallery, 3721 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, 314-531-3030, www.brunodavidgallery.com.

Art After Dark: Fundraiser for Succeeding with Reading features 30 artworks commissioned by Art Underground, two live painters, music by Fundamental Elements and complimentary food and drink. Sat., May 15, 7-11 p.m., $25-$100, call 314-602-8454 for info. 3229 Washington Avenue, 3229 Washington Ave., St. Louis.

Lots more after the jump...

Building Community: COCA faculty exhibition. An opening reception will be held May 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with an informal artist talk at 6:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Continues through July 16, Free. Center of Creative Arts (COCA), 524 Trinity Ave., University City, 314-725-6555, www.cocastl.org.

Collectors' Choice IX: Signature fundraiser for the St. Louis Artists' Guild. Admission cost covers two people for both the opening gala and silent auction and the main event on Sunday, June 13. Fri., May 14, 6-8 p.m., $150. St. Louis Artists' Guild, 2 Oak Knoll Park, Clayton, 314-727-6266, www.stlouisartistsguild.org.

Engelhardt on Elections: Long-time editorial cartoonist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Tom Engelhardt exhibits his best election-based cartoons. Artist's reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 14. Through May 30, free. UM-St. Louis-Mercantile Library, 1 University Blvd. at Natural Bridge Rd., Normandy, 314-516-7240, www.umsl.edu/mercantile/.

Fine Print, Rare Book and Paper Arts Fair: Featuring prints, drawings, rare books, fine printing and photographs from over 40 local and national dealers. An opening night benefit preview of the fair will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, May 14. Admission is $50 per person or $90 per couple and includes Saturday and Sunday admission to the fair. Sat., May 15, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., May 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $5. UM-St. Louis-Mercantile Library, 1 University Blvd. at Natural Bridge Rd., Normandy, 314-516-7240, www.umsl.edu/mercantile/.

Into the Void: Christopher Paquet's paintings are ivestigations into the power of language, seeking to strip the gloss of the heroic and fantastic from "noble" words in order to reveal the truth hidden behind meaning. Opening reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 14. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Continues through May 29. Hoffman LaChance Contemporary, 2713 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, 314-960-5322, www.hoffmanlachancefineart.com.

Seeing Red: A juried exhibit featuring submissions in all media and styles that focus on the color red or the theme of "Seeing Red". A free opening reception will be held Saturday, May 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Continues through June 24, Free. Art Saint Louis, 555 Washington Ave. #150, St. Louis, 314-241-4810, www.artstlouis.org.

Synthesis: The Exhibition: A collaboration of eleven local artists. An opening reception will be held Friday, May 14, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 14-June 4, Free, http://fbuspring2010grads.wordpress.com. Mark Lemp Footwear Building, 1270 North Price Rd., Olivette.

Untitled: An opening reception will be held Saturday, May 15, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sat., May 15, Free. Grace Manor Seasonal Restaurant, 1801 North Main St., Edwardsville, 618-655-0650.

The Urban Renewal Project: Showcasing creations by Employment Connection clients: the homeless, ex-offenders and U.S. Veterans, who were mentored by artists from the Pulitzer Foundation of the Arts to create works of art from trash found in the street. Sat., May 15, 3-7 p.m., Free, www.urbanartstl.com. Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, 3716 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, 314-754-1850, www.pulitzerarts.org.

Editor's note: If you don't see your show listed, please leave the information in the comments (and drop a note to calendar@riverfronttimes.com so we can list it in the online calendar). All art openings are free unless noted. For a full list of all ongoing art shows in the St. Louis area, please click here.